Wildfire near Stump Lake under control, suspected to be human-caused

A notable wildfire near Stump Lake south of Kamloops is now classified as under control.

In an update late Wednesday (June 17) afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service says the Kullagh Creek wildfire is not expected to spread beyond its current 149-hectare perimeter. The wildfire was showing Rank 1 fire behaviour, meaning it’s a smoldering ground fire.

The wildfire is suspected to be human-caused, either by accident or with intention.

An evacuation alert for 31 properties within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District is still in place.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 61 wildfire service personnel were still on site mopping up the Kullagh Creek wildfire and patrolling for hot spots. Fire Information Officer Cassidy Martin told CFJC Today aircraft are no longer on site, but they are available as needed.

According to the wildfire service’s dashboard as of Thursday morning, there are three active wildfires within the Kamloops Fire Centre. Of them, two are under control, while a 57-hectare wildfire burning nearly 30 kilometres northwest of Princeton is classified as out of control.

The fire danger rating for the Kamloops Fire Centre is mostly moderate as of Thursday morning, with a higher danger rating further west in the Cache Creek, Lillooet and Lytton area.